Optimization of memory systems based on performance goals

ABSTRACT

A memory system having a set of media, a set of resources, and a controller configured via firmware to use the set of resources in processing requests from a host system to store data in the media or retrieve data from the media. The memory system has a performance manager that identifies settings for allocations of the resources in the processing of the requests based on a user identified preference and optionally further based on operation statistics of the memory system.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/943,296, filed Apr. 2, 2018 and entitled“Optimization of Memory Systems based on Performance Goals”, the entiredisclosure of which application is hereby incorporated herein byreference.

FIELD OF THE TECHNOLOGY

At least some embodiments disclosed herein relate to memory systems ingeneral, and more particularly, but not limited to optimization ofmemory systems based on performance goals.

BACKGROUND

A memory system can be a storage system, such as a solid-state drive(SSD), and can include one or more memory components that store data.For example, a memory system can include memory devices such asnon-volatile memory devices and volatile memory devices. In general, ahost system can utilize a memory system to store data at the memorydevices of the memory system and to retrieve data stored at the memorysystem.

The memory system can have various resources, such as one or moreprocessors, communication channels, and different types of memorycomponents. Using the resources the processors can execute firmware toperform operations related to data storage requests and/or tasks.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The embodiments are illustrated by way of example and not limitation inthe figures of the accompanying drawings in which like referencesindicate similar elements.

FIG. 1 shows a computing system having a memory system having aperformance manager in accordance with some embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 2 shows a storage system configured to balance performance needsbased on performance profiles and/or operation statistics.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example of determine a current setting profile foroptimization of a customized performance goal.

FIG. 4 shows a method to optimize a memory system based on performancegoals.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

At least some aspects of the present disclosure are directed to theoptimization of a memory system based on different performance goals ofinterest to different users and/or in response to different patterns ofusage of the memory system. An example of a memory system is a storagesystem, such as a solid-state drive (SSD). In some embodiments, thememory system is a hybrid memory/storage system. In general, a hostsystem can utilize a memory system that includes one or more memorydevices. The memory devices can include non-volatile memory devices,such as, for example, memory units formed based on negative-and (NAND)logic gates, memory units formed based on negative-or (NOR) logic gates,etc. The host system can provide write requests to store data at thememory devices of the memory system and can provide read requests toretrieve data stored at the memory system. A memory system can include acontroller that manages the memory devices to perform operations such asreading data, writing data, or erasing data and other such operations. Astorage system is used as one example of the memory system in thepresent disclosure.

Operations in a memory system can be optimized for various profiles ofoperations and/or performance goals, such as read intensity operations,write intensity operations, durability, etc. The resources in the memorysystem can be allocated and/or utilized differently to optimize theperformances of the memory system used under different patterns ofoperations and/or with different performance priorities.

For example, a configuration profile can be used to specify the settingsfor the allocation or utilization of resources within the memory systemto improve the overall performance of the memory system in a pattern ofusage that involves intensive read operations.

For example, a configuration profile can be used to specify the settingsfor the allocation or utilization of resources within the memory systemto improve the overall performance of the memory system in a pattern ofusage that involves intensive write operations.

For example, a configuration profile can be used to specify the settingsfor the allocation or utilization of resources within the memory systemto improve the overall performance of the memory system in durability.

A user of the memory system may select a profile from the plurality ofavailable profiles based on the preferences of the user in performanceoptimization, such as a preference for improved performance in readintensity operations, a preference for improved performance in writeintensity operations, or a preference for improved performance indurability. The settings of the selected profile can be used tocustomize the operations of the memory system.

In some instances, the memory system tracks the statistics of theinput/output requests (e.g., read and write commands from its hostsystem) to determine the usage patterns and workloads in a past periodof time that may be indicative the usage patterns and workloads of thememory system in a following period of time. The memory system canselect and/or generate a configuration profile based on the predictedusage patterns and workloads in the following period of time and/or anindication of the performance priority of the user to re-balance theresource usages within the memory system for performance optimizationtailored to the user preference and/or the predicted usage patterns andworkloads.

FIG. 1 shows a computing system having a memory system (108) having aperformance manager (114) in accordance with some embodiments of thepresent disclosure.

For example, the performance manager (114) can adjust the way resourcesof the memory system (108) are used in performing the commands/requestsfrom a host system (101) to optimize certain aspects of performancegoals, in accordance with a user preference and/or patterns of thecommands/requests from the host system (101).

In general, the memory system (108) can include media, such as memorydevices (109A to 109N). The memory devices (109A to 109N) can bevolatile memory devices, non-volatile memory (NVM) devices, or acombination of such. In some embodiments, the memory system (108) is astorage system. An example of a storage system is a solid state drive(SSD). In some embodiments, the memory system (108) is a hybridmemory/storage system. In general, the computing system can include ahost system (101) that uses the memory system (108). In someimplementations, the host system (101) can write data to the memorysystem (108) and read data from the memory system (108).

The host system (101) can be a computing device such as a desktopcomputer, laptop computer, network server, mobile device, or suchcomputing device that includes a memory and a processing device. Thehost system (101) can include or be coupled to the memory system (108)so that the host system (101) can read data from or write data to thememory system (108). The host system (101) can be coupled to the memorysystem (108) via a physical host interface. As used herein, “coupled to”generally refers to a connection between components, which can be anindirect communicative connection or direct communicative connection(e.g., without intervening components), whether wired or wireless,including connections such as, electrical, optical, magnetic, etc.Examples of a physical host interface include, but are not limited to, aserial advanced technology attachment (SATA) interface, a peripheralcomponent interconnect express (PCIe) interface, universal serial bus(USB) interface, Fibre Channel, Small Computer System Interface (SCSI),Serial Attached SCSI (SAS), etc. The physical host interface can be usedto transmit data between the host system (101) and the memory system(108). The host system (101) can further utilize an NVM Express (NVMe)interface to access the memory devices (109A to 109N) when the memorysystem (108) is coupled with the host system (101) by the PCIeinterface. The physical host interface can provide an interface forpassing control, address, data, and other signals between the memorysystem (108) and the host system (101).

The memory devices (109A to 109N) can include any combination of thedifferent types of non-volatile memory devices and/or volatile memorydevices. An example of non-volatile memory devices includes anegative-and (NAND) type flash memory. Each of the memory devices (109Ato 109N) can include one or more arrays of memory cells such as singlelevel cells (SLCs), multi-level cells (MLCs), triple level cells (TLCs),quad-level cells (QLCs), etc. In some implementations, a particularmemory device can include both an SLC portion and a MLC (or TLC or QLC)portion of memory cells. Each of the memory cells can store one or morebits of data used by the host system (101). Although non-volatile memorydevices such as NAND type flash memory are described, the memory devices(109A to 109N) can be based on any other type of memory such as avolatile memory. In some implementations, the memory devices (109A to109N) can be, but are not limited to, random access memory (RAM),read-only memory (ROM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), staticrandom access memory (SRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory(SDRAM), phase change memory (PCM), magneto random access memory (MRAM),negative-or (NOR) flash memory, electrically erasable programmableread-only memory (EEPROM), and a cross-point array of non-volatilememory cells. A cross-point array of non-volatile memory can perform bitstorage based on a change of bulk resistance, in conjunction with astackable cross-gridded data access array. Additionally, in contrast tomany Flash-based memory, cross point non-volatile memory can perform awrite in-place operation, where a non-volatile memory cell can beprogrammed without the non-volatile memory cell being previously erased.Furthermore, the memory cells of the memory devices (109A to 109N) canbe grouped as memory pages or data blocks that can refer to a unit ofthe memory device used to store data.

The controller (107) can communicate with the memory devices (109A to109N) to perform operations such as reading data, writing data, orerasing data at the memory devices (109A to 109N) and other suchoperations. The controller (107) can include hardware such as one ormore integrated circuits and/or discrete components, a buffer memory, ora combination thereof. The controller (107) can be a microcontroller,special purpose logic circuitry (e.g., a field programmable gate array(FPGA), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), etc.), oranother suitable processor. The controller (107) can include one or moreprocessors (processing devices) (120) configured to execute instructionsstored in local memory (119).

In the illustrated example, the local memory (119) of the controller(107) includes an embedded memory configured to store instructions forperforming various processes, operations, logic flows, and routines thatcontrol operation of the memory system (108), including handlingcommunications between the memory system (108) and the host system(101), and the functions of the performance manager (114), which isdescribed in greater detail below. In some embodiments, the local memory(119) can include memory for the implementation of the performancemanager (114) and/or memory registers storing, e.g., memory pointers,fetched data, etc. The local memory (119) can include read-only memory(ROM) for storing micro-code.

While the example memory system (108) in FIG. 1 has been illustrated asincluding the controller (107), in another embodiment of the presentdisclosure, a memory system (108) may not include a controller (107),and may instead rely upon external control (e.g., provided by anexternal host, or by a processor or controller separate from the memorysystem).

In general, the controller (107) can receive commands or operations fromthe host system (101) and can convert the commands or operations intoinstructions or appropriate commands to achieve the desired access tothe memory devices (109A to 109N). The controller (107) can beresponsible for other operations such as wear leveling operations,garbage collection operations, error detection and error-correcting code(ECC) operations, encryption operations, caching operations, and addresstranslations between a logical block address and a physical blockaddress that are associated with the memory devices (109A to 109N). Thecontroller (107) can further include host interface circuitry tocommunicate with the host system (101) via the physical host interface.The host interface circuitry can convert the commands received from thehost system into command instructions to access the memory devices (109Ato 109N) as well as convert responses associated with the memory devices(109A to 109N) into information for the host system (101).

The memory system (108) can also include additional circuitry orcomponents that are not illustrated. In some implementations, the memorysystem (108) can include a cache or buffer (e.g., DRAM) and addresscircuitry (e.g., a row decoder and a column decoder) that can receive anaddress from the controller (107) and decode the address to access thememory devices (109A to 109N).

In one example, the host system (101) has one or more connectors toprovide the memory system (108) with power and/or communicate with thememory system (108) via a communication channel and a predeterminedprotocol; and the memory system (108) has one or more connectors toreceive the power, data and commands from the host system (101). Forexample, the connection between connector on the host system (101) andconnector on memory system (108) may utilize a PCIe bus or a SATA bus.

FIG. 2 shows a storage system (103) configured to balance performanceneeds based on performance profiles and/or operation statistics. Forexample, the storage system (103) of FIG. 2 can be used as an example ofthe memory system (108) in the computing system of FIG. 1.

The storage system (103) of FIG. 2 has various hardware resources thatcan be used to process the requests/commands from the host system (101).

For example, the hardware resources of the storage system (103) includeprocessors (121, . . . , 123) of a controller (107) of the storagesystem (103). The processors (121, . . . , 123) can be allocated toperform different tasks in the processing of a request or command fromthe host system (101). Different ways to allocate the processors (121, .. . , 123) to different tasks can have different impacts in theperformance levels of the storage system (103) in completing differenttypes of requests or commands (e.g., improving a performance level incompleting certain types of requests or commands while reducing aperformance level in completing other types of requests or commands).

For example, the hardware resources of the storage system (103) includevolatile memory (106). Different portions of the volatile memory (106)of different sizes can be allocated to different tasks in the processingof request or command from the host system (101). Different ways topartition the volatile memory (106) for allocation to different taskscan have different impacts in the performance levels of the storagesystem (103) in completing different types of requests or commands(e.g., improving a performance level in completing certain types ofrequests or commands while reducing a performance level in completingother types of requests or commands).

Further examples of hardware resources of the storage system (103) thatcan be allocated in different ways to impart different impacts ondifferent performance goals of the storage system (103) includeinter-process communication channels, registers, data and/or controlsignal buses, etc.

In some instances, non-volatile storage media (109) has a limited budgetfor rewriting data into a same memory unit in the non-volatile storagemedia (109). After the write budget is consumed, writing new data in thememory unit may not allow reliable retrieval of the data from the memoryunit. The controller (107) of the storage system is programmed via thefirmware (104) to perform operations to reduce writes in thenon-volatile storage media (109) and/or to spread the writes indifferent memory units. Allocating different amount of resources (e.g.,buffer memory and/or time slots) for such operations can have differentimpacts on the amount of reduction of writes achieved through thecontroller (107) performing such operations and thus result in differentperformance levels in the durability of the storage system (103).

The storage system (103) stores a set of performance profiles (102).Each of the performance profile (102) specifies a set of parameters thatidentify the allocations of resources of the storage system (103) inperforming various tasks/operations within the storage system (103).When used by the controller (107) executing the firmware (104), the setof parameters in a corresponding performance profile (102) optimizes aparticular performance goal, such as the input/output performance for atypical read intensive usage, the input/output performance for a typicalwrite intensive usage, the durability of the storage system, etc.

The performance manager (114) allows the selection of one of theperformance goals (e.g., read intensity mode, write intensity mode,durability mode) as a preference and uses one of the predefinedperformance profiles (102) corresponding to the selected performancegoal to configure the resource usage in the operations of the controller(107) running the firmware (104).

For example, the host system (101) may present a user interface thatallows a user of the host system (101) to select a performanceoptimization goal for the storage system (103). For example, a user mayselect to optimize the storage system (103) for read intensity usages,for write intensity usages, for durability, etc. The user selection iscommunicated from the host system (101) to the storage system (103)through a host interface (105), which causes the storage system (103) touse one of the performance profiles (102) corresponding to the userselection to configure the controller (107) running the firmware (104).

Optionally, the storage system (103) stores the user selection (e.g., ina predetermined location in the non-volatile storage media (109)) suchthat when the storage system (103) is restarted/rebooted, one of theperformance profiles (102) corresponding to the user selection is usedto configure the controller (107) running the firmware (104) inbalancing the resource usages to optimize the performance in the userselected performance goal.

Optionally, the storage system (103) stores a performance profile (102)corresponds to the user selected performance goal and may not storeother performance files of non-selected performance goals. The storedperformance profile (102) may be received from the host system (101) inresponse to the user selection of a performance goal. The performanceprofile (102) can be received as a firmware update and/or via anadministrative command for the customization of the storage system(103).

In some instances, the user may specify different weights for thedifferent performance goals. For example, the user may specify a firstweight for read intensity usages, a second weight for write intensityusages, a third weight for durability, etc. The host system (101) and/orthe performance manager (114) combines the different performanceprofiles for the respective performance goals according to the userspecified weights to generate a customized performance profile (102)based on predetermined rules. Thus, the user may specify a customizedperformance goal in the form of a combination of a set of predefinedperformance goals, instead of being restricted to selecting one from apredetermined set of performance goals.

The set of weights can be stored in the non-volatile storage media (109)to generate a customized performance profile (102) for applicationduring the start or boot of the storage system (103). Alternatively, thehost system (101) (or a remote server) generates the customizedperformance profile (102) according to the set of weights and downloadsthe customized performance profile (102) into the storage system (103).

In some instances, the performance manager (114) tracks the operationsperformed by the storage system (103) in response to therequests/commands from the host system (101) to generate the operationstatistics (112). For example, the operation statistics (112) canidentify the read intensity of past operations during a period of time,the write intensity of past operations during a period of time, theusage rate of the storage system (103), etc. The operation statistics(112) can be used to customize the weights for the combination of theperformance profiles (102) in generating a customized performanceprofile (102) for the storage system (103) during a period of time thathas similar usage patterns.

For example, a weight for the read intensity mode can be proportional tothe measurement of the read intensity of past operations during theperiod of time; a weight for the write intensity mode can beproportional to the measurement of the write intensity of pastoperations during the period of time; and a weight for the durabilitymode can be proportional to the measurement of the usage rate of pastoperations during the period of time.

In some instances, the weights for the different modes computed from theoperation statistics (112) are combined with the weights for therespective modes specified by the user of the system. For examples, theweights for the different modes computed from the operation statistics(112) can be multiplied by respective weights specified by the user forthe respective modes to compute the weights used for combining theperformance profiles (102) of the respective modes.

In general, the host system (101) can use message queues to submitrequests/commands, including the user preferences, weights, and/or theperformance profiles (102), to the storage system (103).

For example, a submission queue (e.g., 111, . . . , or 113) can be usedby the host system (101) to submit requests to the storage system (103);and a completion queue (e.g., 115, . . . , or 117) can be used by thehost system (101) to receive responses from the storage system (103).

For example, a version of NVMe (e.g., Non-Volatile Memory HostController Interface Specification 1.2) specifies the use of a circularbuffer with a fixed slot size for a submission queue (e.g., 111, . . . ,or 113) or a completion queue (e.g., 115, . . . , or 117).

The NVMe further specifies different types of message queues for theprocessing of different types of commands. For example, input/output(I/O) commands are limited to be submitted via I/O submission queues;and admin commands are limited to be submitted via admin submissionqueues. Examples of I/O commands include commands to read data from thestorage system (103), commands to write data into the storage system(103), commands to compare data in the storage system (103), etc.Examples of admin commands include commands to manage namespaces,commands to attach namespaces, commands to create I/O submission orcompletion queues, commands to delete I/O submission or completionqueues, commands for firmware management, etc. The NVMe allows multipleI/O submission queues to share an I/O completion queue by explicitlyidentifying the I/O completion queue in the request for the creation ofeach of the I/O submission queues.

The NVMe requires that the storage system (103) fetch thecommands/requests from a submission queue (111, . . . , or 113)according to the order in which the commands are placed in thesubmission queue (111, . . . , or 113). However, the NVMe allows thecontroller (107) to execute the fetched commands in any order.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example of determine a current setting profile foroptimization of a customized performance goal. For example, thetechnique of FIG. 3 can be implemented via the performance manager (114)of FIG. 1 and/or FIG. 2.

In FIG. 3, a set of setting profiles (131, 133, . . . , 137) arepre-designed for performance optimization for a plurality of predefinedusage models.

For example, the setting profile (131) specifies settings of resourceallocations/usages in the storage system (103) to optimize performancefor read intensity usages.

For example, the setting profile (133) specifies settings of resourceallocations/usages in the storage system (103) to optimize performancefor write intensity usages.

For example, the setting profile (137) specifies settings of resourceallocations/usages in the storage system (103) to optimize durability ofthe non-volatile storage media (109) of the storage system (103).

For example, the setting profiles (131, 133, . . . , 137) of FIG. 3 canbe used as the performance profiles (102) in the storage system (103) ofFIG. 2.

Based on a user preference (116) and/or operation statistics (112), acurrent setting profile (139) is identified (130) from the settingprofiles (131, 133, . . . , 137).

For example, when the operation statistics (112) is not available, theuser preference (116) may select one of the setting profiles (131, 133,. . . , 137) as the current setting profile (139).

For example, when the operation statistics (112) is not available, theuser preference (116) may specify a weight for each of the settingprofiles (131, 133, . . . , 137); and the set of weights of the userpreference (116) is applied to the set of setting profiles (131, 133, .. . , 137) to generate (130) the current setting profile (139).

For example, when the user preference (116) is not available, theoperation statistics (112) can be used to derive a set of weights forthe set of setting profiles (131, 133, . . . , 137); and the set ofweights generated from the operation statistics (112) is applied to theset of setting profiles (131, 133, . . . , 137) to generate (130) thecurrent setting profile (139).

For example, when the user preference (116) specifies a set of weightsfor the set of setting profiles (131, 133, . . . , 137) respectively anda set of weights is generated from the operation statistics (112) for aperiod of time that is indicative of the operation characteristics of afollowing period of time, the set of weights of the user preference(116) and the set of weights derived from the operation statistics (112)can be both applied to the set of setting profiles (131, 133, . . . ,137) to generate (130) the current setting profile (139) that iscustomized for the following period of time.

FIG. 4 shows a method to optimize a memory system based on performancegoals. For example, the method of FIG. 4 can be used in the memorysystem (108) of FIG. 1 in general and in the storage system (103) ofFIG. 2 as an example, to implement the technique of FIG. 3.

The method of FIG. 4 includes: identifying (161) a plurality ofperformance modes of a memory system; generating (163) a plurality ofprofiles (102, or 131, 133, . . . , 137) that identify settings ofresource usages in the memory system (108 or 103) optimized for theplurality of performance modes respectively; receiving (165) anindication of a user preference (116) regarding the performance modes;operating (167) the memory system (108 or 103) using resource usagesettings identified in a profile (139) identified based on the profiles(102, or 131, 133, . . . , 137) and the user preference (116); tracking(169) operation statistics (112) of memory system (108 or 103); andadjusting (171) resource usage settings of the memory system based atleast in part on the operation statistics (112).

For example, a memory system (e.g., 108 or 103) can have a set of media(e.g., 109A to 109N, or 109), a set of resources; and a controller (107)configured via firmware (104) to use the set of resources in processingrequests from a host system (101) to store data in the media (e.g., 109Ato 109N, or 109) or retrieve data from the media (e.g., 109A to 109N, or109). The memory system (e.g., 108 or 103) has a performance manager(114) that identifies settings (139) for allocations of the resources inthe processing of the requests based at least in part on a useridentified preference (116). The performance manager (114) can beimplemented via the controller (107) executing a portion of the firmware(104) and/or a special purpose circuit.

For example, the set of media (e.g., 109A to 109N, or 109) can include aflash memory; and the memory system (e.g., 108 or 103) can be a solidstate drive (SSD).

For example, the user identified preference (116) can select aperformance goal from a plurality of predefined performance goals thathave a plurality of setting profiles (131, 133, . . . , 137); and thesettings (139) for the allocations of the resources are specified in aprofile (139) selected from the plurality of setting profiles (131, 133,. . . , 137) according to the performance goal selected by the useridentified preference (116).

For example, the user identified preference (116) can specify aplurality of weights for a plurality of predefined performance goalsthat have a plurality of setting profiles (131, 133, . . . , 137); andthe settings (139) for the allocations of the resources are computed byapplying the plurality of weights on the plurality of setting profiles(131, 133, . . . , 137) respectively. In some instances, at least two ofthe plurality of setting profiles (131, 133, . . . , 137) have non-zeroweights.

For example, the memory system (e.g., 108 or 103) stores a plurality ofsetting profiles (102, or 131 to 137) for a plurality of predefinedperformance goals respectively; and the settings (139) for theallocations of the resources are based on the plurality of settingprofiles (102, or 131 to 137).

Examples of the plurality of predefined performance goals include atleast one of: optimization for read intensive usage of the memory system(e.g., 108 or 103) (e.g., 108 or 103); optimization for writeintensities usage of the memory system (e.g., 108 or 103); andoptimization for durability of the memory system (e.g., 108 or 103).

Examples of the set of resources include at least one of: volatilememory, registers, communication buses, inter-process communicationchannels, and processors (120, or 121 to 123) or running processes inthe controller (107).

For example, the controller (107) of the memory system (e.g., 108 or103) can include a plurality processors (120, or 121 to 123) that run aplurality of processes; each of the processes performs one of aplurality of tasks in the memory system (e.g., 108 or 103); and thesettings (139) balance resource allocations among the tasks for aperformance goal individualized based on the user preference (116)and/or the actual or predicted usages of the memory system (e.g., 108 or103) in serving the requests/commands from the host system (101).

For example, the performance manager (114) can determine operationstatistics (112) of the memory system (e.g., 108 or 103) and identify(130) the settings (139) for allocations of the resources based on theuser preference (116) and the operation statistics (112).

For example, the operation statistics (112) can be used to computeweights for the plurality of predefined performance goals; and theweights can be modified via the user preference (116) before beingapplied on the setting profiles (131 to 137) of the predefinedperformance goals to generate a customized/individualized settingprofile (139).

For example, the performance manager (114) computes a plurality of firstweights for the plurality of predefined performance goals respectivelybased on the operation statistics (112); the user identified preference(116) specifies a plurality of second weights for the plurality ofpredefined performance goals respectively; and the plurality of firstweights and the plurality of second weights are applied on the pluralityof setting profiles to determine the settings (139) for the allocationsof the resources.

In some instances, the computation of the customized and/orindividualized setting profile (139) is performed on the host system(101). The setting profile (139) is downloaded to the memory system(e.g., 108 or 103) during a firmware update or customization operation.

In some instances, the host system (101) can track the operationstatistics (112) and/or obtain the user preference (116) independentfrom and/or without involving the memory system (e.g., 108 or 103).

The storage system (103) of FIG. 2 can be attached to the host system(101) in FIG. 1 as an implementation of the memory system (108). Acommunication channel between the host system (101) and the memorysystem (108) in general and the storage system (103) in particularallows the host system (101) to send data requests and/or other commandsthat trigger certain operations of the controller (107) on the media(e.g., 109A to 109N, 109), such as data write operations, data readoperations, data erasure operations. A host interface (105) implementsthe communication protocols of the communication channel.

In some implementations, the communication channel between the hostsystem (101) and the memory system (108) or the storage system (103)includes a bus for computer peripheral devices, such as a PCIe bus, aSATA bus, a USB bus.

In some implementations, the communication channel between the hostsystem (101) and the storage system (103) includes a computer network,such as a local area network, a wireless local area network, a wirelesspersonal area network, a cellular communications network, a broadbandhigh-speed always-connected wireless communication connection (e.g., acurrent or future generation of mobile network link); and the hostsystem (101) and the storage system (103) can be configured tocommunicate with each other using data storage management and usagecommands similar to those in NVMe protocol.

The controller (107) of the storage system (103) can run firmware (104)to perform operations responsive to the communications from the hostsystem (101). Firmware in general is a type of computer program thatprovides control, monitoring and data manipulation of engineeredcomputing devices.

The storage system (103) can have non-volatile storage media (109).Examples of non-volatile storage media (109) include memory cells formedin an integrated circuit and magnetic material coated on rigid disks.Non-volatile storage media (109) can maintain the data/informationstored therein without consuming power. Memory cells can be implementedusing various memory/storage technologies, such as NAND logic gate, NORlogic gate, phase-change memory (PCM), magnetic memory (MRAM), resistiverandom-access memory, cross point storage and memory devices (e.g., 3DXPoint memory). A cross point memory device uses transistor-less memoryelements, each of which has a memory cell and a selector that arestacked together as a column. Memory element columns are connected viatwo perpendicular lays of wires, where one lay is above the memoryelement columns and the other lay below the memory element columns. Eachmemory element can be individually selected at a cross point of one wireon each of the two layers. Cross point memory devices are fast andnon-volatile and can be used as a unified memory pool for processing andstorage.

In some instances, the controller (107) has in-processor cache memorywith data access performance that is better than the volatile DRAM (106)and/or the non-volatile storage media (109). Thus, it is preferred tocache parts of instructions and data used in the current computing taskin the in-processor cache memory of the controller (107) during thecomputing operations of the controller (107). In some instances, thecontroller (107) has multiple processors (121, . . . , 123), each havingits own in-processor cache memory.

Optionally, the controller (107) performs data intensive, in-memoryprocessing using data and/or instructions organized in the storagesystem (103). For example, in response to a request from a host system(101), the controller (107) performs a real time analysis of a set ofdata stored in the storage system (103) and communicates a reduced dataset to the host system (101) as a response. For example, in someapplications, the storage system (103) is connected to real time sensorsto store sensor inputs; and the processors (120, 121, . . . , 123) ofthe controller (107) are configured to perform machine learning and/orpattern recognition based on the sensor inputs to support an artificialintelligence (AI) system that is implemented at least in part via thestorage system (103) and/or the host system (101).

In some implementations, the processors (120, 121, . . . , 123) of thecontroller (107) are integrated with memory (e.g., 119, 109A, . . . ,109N, 106, 109) in computer chip fabrication to enable processing inmemory and thus overcome the von Neumann bottleneck that limitscomputing performance as a result of a limit in throughput caused bylatency in data moves between a processor and memory configuredseparately according to the von Neumann architecture. The integration ofprocessing and memory increases processing speed and memory transferrate and decreases latency and power usage.

The storage system (103) can be used in various computing systems, suchas a cloud computing system, an edge computing system, a fog computingsystem, and/or a standalone computer. In a cloud computing system,remote computer servers are connected in a network to store, manage, andprocess data. An edge computing system optimizes cloud computing byperforming data processing at the edge of the computer network that isclose to the data source and thus reduces data communications with acentralize server and/or data storage. A fog computing system uses oneor more end-user devices or near-user edge devices to store data andthus reduces or eliminates the need to store the data in a centralizeddata warehouse.

Some embodiments involving the operation of the controller (107) can beimplemented using computer instructions executed by the controller(107), such as the firmware (104) of the controller (107). In someinstances, hardware circuits can be used to implement at least some ofthe functions. The firmware (104) can be initially stored in thenon-volatile storage media (109), or another non-volatile device, andloaded into the volatile DRAM (106) and/or the in-processor cache memoryfor execution by the controller (107).

A non-transitory computer storage medium can be used to storeinstructions of the firmware (104) of the memory system (108) in generaland the storage system (103) in particular. When the instructions areexecuted by the controller (107) of the memory system (108) or thestorage system (103), the instructions cause the controller (107) toperform a method discussed above.

In this description, various functions and operations may be describedas being performed by or caused by computer instructions to simplifydescription. However, those skilled in the art will recognize what ismeant by such expressions is that the functions result from execution ofthe computer instructions by one or more controllers or processors, suchas a microprocessor. Alternatively, or in combination, the functions andoperations can be implemented using special purpose circuitry, with orwithout software instructions, such as using Application-SpecificIntegrated Circuit (ASIC) or Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA).Embodiments can be implemented using hardwired circuitry withoutsoftware instructions, or in combination with software instructions.Thus, the techniques are limited neither to any specific combination ofhardware circuitry and software, nor to any particular source for theinstructions executed by the data processing system.

While some embodiments can be implemented in fully functioning computersand computer systems, various embodiments are capable of beingdistributed as a computing product in a variety of forms and are capableof being applied regardless of the particular type of machine orcomputer-readable media used to actually effect the distribution.

At least some aspects disclosed can be embodied, at least in part, insoftware. That is, the techniques may be carried out in a computersystem or other data processing system in response to its processor,such as a microprocessor or micro-controller, executing sequences ofinstructions contained in a memory, such as ROM, volatile RAM,non-volatile memory, cache or a remote storage device.

Routines executed to implement the embodiments may be implemented aspart of an operating system or a specific application, component,program, object, module or sequence of instructions referred to as“computer programs.” The computer programs typically comprise one ormore instructions set at various times in various memory and storagedevices in a computer, and that, when read and executed by one or moreprocessors in a computer, cause the computer to perform operationsnecessary to execute elements involving the various aspects.

A tangible, non-transitory computer storage medium can be used to storesoftware and data which, when executed by a data processing system,causes the system to perform various methods. The executable softwareand data may be stored in various places including for example ROM,volatile RAM, non-volatile memory and/or cache. Portions of thissoftware and/or data may be stored in any one of these storage devices.Further, the data and instructions can be obtained from centralizedservers or peer-to-peer networks. Different portions of the data andinstructions can be obtained from different centralized servers and/orpeer-to-peer networks at different times and in different communicationsessions or in a same communication session. The data and instructionscan be obtained in their entirety prior to the execution of theapplications. Alternatively, portions of the data and instructions canbe obtained dynamically, just in time, when needed for execution. Thus,it is not required that the data and instructions be on amachine-readable medium in their entirety at a particular instance oftime.

Examples of computer-readable storage media include, but are not limitedto, recordable and non-recordable type media such as volatile andnon-volatile memory devices, read only memory (ROM), random accessmemory (RAM), flash memory devices, floppy and other removable disks,magnetic disk storage media, and optical storage media (e.g., CompactDisk Read-Only Memory (CD ROM), Digital Versatile Disks (DVDs), etc.),among others. The instructions may be embodied in a transitory medium,such as electrical, optical, acoustical or other forms of propagatedsignals, such as carrier waves, infrared signals, digital signals, etc.A transitory medium is typically used to transmit instructions, but notviewed as capable of storing the instructions.

In various embodiments, hardwired circuitry may be used in combinationwith software instructions to implement the techniques. Thus, thetechniques are neither limited to any specific combination of hardwarecircuitry and software, nor to any particular source for theinstructions executed by the data processing system.

Although some of the drawings illustrate a number of operations in aparticular order, operations that are not order dependent may bereordered and other operations may be combined or broken out. While somereordering or other groupings are specifically mentioned, others will beapparent to those of ordinary skill in the art and so do not present anexhaustive list of alternatives. Moreover, it should be recognized thatthe stages could be implemented in hardware, firmware, software or anycombination thereof.

The above description and drawings are illustrative and are not to beconstrued as limiting. Numerous specific details are described toprovide a thorough understanding. However, in certain instances, wellknown or conventional details are not described in order to avoidobscuring the description. References to one or an embodiment in thepresent disclosure are not necessarily references to the sameembodiment; and, such references mean at least one.

In the foregoing specification, the disclosure has been described withreference to specific exemplary embodiments thereof. It will be evidentthat various modifications may be made thereto without departing fromthe broader spirit and scope as set forth in the following claims. Thespecification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in anillustrative sense rather than a restrictive sense.

What is claimed is:
 1. A memory system, comprising: a set of media; aset of resources; and a controller configured to use the set ofresources in processing requests from a host system to store data in themedia or retrieve data from the media; wherein a performance manageridentifies settings for allocations of the resources in the processingof the requests based on a user identified preference.
 2. The memorysystem of claim 1, wherein the set of media includes a flash memory. 3.The memory system of claim 2, wherein the memory system is a solid statedrive.
 4. The memory system of claim 1, wherein the user identifiedpreference selects a performance goal from a plurality of predefinedperformance goals that have a plurality of setting profiles; and thesettings for the allocations of the resources are from a profileselected from the plurality of setting profiles according to theperformance goal selected by the user identified preference.
 5. Thememory system of claim 1, wherein the user identified preferencespecifies a plurality of weights for a plurality of predefinedperformance goals that have a plurality of setting profiles; and thesettings for the allocations of the resources are computed by applyingthe plurality of weights on the plurality of setting profilesrespectively.
 6. The memory system of claim 1, wherein the memory systemstores a plurality of setting profiles for a plurality of predefinedperformance goals respectively; and the settings for the allocations ofthe resources are based on the plurality of setting profiles.
 7. Thememory system of claim 6, wherein the plurality of predefinedperformance goals include at least one of: optimization for readintensive usage of the memory system; optimization for write intensitiesusage of the memory system; and optimization for durability of thememory system.
 8. The memory system of claim 6, wherein the set ofresources includes at least one of: volatile memory, registers,communication buses, and inter-process communication channels.
 9. Thememory system of claim 6, wherein the controller includes a pluralityprocessors running a plurality of processes; each of the processesperforms one of a plurality of tasks in the memory system; and thesettings balance resource allocations among the tasks.
 10. The memorysystem of claim 6, wherein the performance manager determines operationstatistics of the memory system and identifies settings for allocationsof the resources further based on the operation statistics.
 11. Amethod, comprising: providing a set of media and a set of resources in amemory system; receiving, in the memory system, a user identifiedpreference; identifying settings for allocations of the resources basedon the user identified preference; and processing, by a controllerrunning firmware of the memory system, requests from a host system tostore data in the media or retrieve data from the media, using theresources allocated according to the settings.
 12. The method of claim11, wherein the set of media includes a flash memory; the memory systemis a solid state drive; and the set of resources includes at least oneof: volatile memory, registers, communication buses, and inter-processcommunication channels.
 13. The method of claim 11, wherein thecontroller includes a plurality processors running a plurality ofprocesses; each of the processes performs one of a plurality of tasks inthe memory system; and the settings balance resource allocations amongthe tasks.
 14. The method of claim 13, further comprising: storing aplurality of setting profiles for a plurality of predefined performancegoals respectively; wherein the settings for the allocations of theresources are based on the plurality of setting profiles.
 15. The methodof claim 14, wherein the plurality of predefined performance goalsinclude at least one of: optimization for read intensive usage of thememory system; optimization for write intensive usage of the memorysystem; and optimization for durability of the memory system.
 16. Themethod of claim 14, wherein the user identified preference selects aperformance goal from the plurality of predefined performance goals; andthe method further includes: selecting a profile from the plurality ofsetting profiles according to the performance goal selected by the useridentified preference; wherein the settings for the allocations of theresources are identified from the profile selected according to theperformance goal.
 17. The method of claim 14, wherein the useridentified preference specifies a plurality of weights for the pluralityof predefined performance goals; and the method further includes:applying the plurality of weights on the plurality of setting profilesrespectively to compute the settings for the allocations of theresources.
 18. The method of claim 14, further comprising: determiningoperation statistics of the memory system; wherein the identifying ofthe settings for allocations of the resources is further based on theoperation statistics.
 19. A non-transitory computer storage mediumstoring instructions which, when executed by a memory system having aset of media and a set of resources and a controller, cause the memorysystem to perform a method, the method comprising: determining operationstatistics of the memory system; receiving, in the memory system, a useridentified preference; identifying settings for allocations of theresources based on the user identified preference and the operationstatistics; and processing, by the memory system, requests from a hostsystem to store data in the media or retrieve data from the media, usingthe resources allocated according to the settings.
 20. Thenon-transitory computer storage medium of claim 19, wherein the methodfurther comprises: storing a plurality of setting profiles for aplurality of predefined performance goals respectively; and computing aplurality of first weights for the plurality of predefined performancegoals respectively based on the operation statistics; wherein the useridentified preference specifies a plurality of second weights for theplurality of predefined performance goals respectively; and wherein theplurality of first weights and the plurality of second weights areapplied on the plurality of setting profiles to determine the settingsfor the allocations of the resources.